More than 20 countries will take part in Bangladesh Travel Mart (BTM) 2026, the country’s first international travel trade marketplace, as the tourism industry seeks to attract investment, expand cross-border partnerships and position Bangladesh more prominently in the global travel market.
The three-day event, organised by the Bangladesh Outbound Tour Operators Association (BOTOA), will be held at Hotel InterContinental Dhaka from 3 to 5 September.
More than 130 exhibitors will participate alongside 50 international hosted buyers, 200 Bangladeshi buyers, representatives of over 100 tourism organisations and an estimated 15,000 visitors.
Announcing the event on Saturday, BOTOA President Syed Golam Mohammad said improved connectivity, rising private-sector investment, stronger government support and growing international engagement had created new opportunities to promote Bangladesh as a tourism destination.
“Bangladesh possesses exceptional natural beauty, a rich cultural and historical heritage, and renowned hospitality. Bangladesh Travel Mart 2026 will provide an international platform to showcase these strengths and establish stronger partnerships with the global tourism industry,” he said.
He said the event aims to generate commercial opportunities across the tourism, hospitality and aviation sectors while supporting Bangladesh’s ambition to become a South Asian tourism and travel trade hub.
BOTOA General Secretary Md Shariful Islam Sharif said the association, although representing outbound tour operators, is equally focused on expanding inbound tourism and attracting more international visitors.
He said the travel mart forms part of BOTOA’s long-term strategy to strengthen Bangladesh’s presence in the international tourism market through business partnerships and investment.
A key feature of the event will be separate business-to-business (B2B) and business-to-consumer (B2C) exhibition halls. The B2B segment will host pre-arranged buyer-seller meetings, networking sessions and partnership discussions, including Bangladesh’s first International Hosted Buyer Programme, designed to connect overseas buyers with exhibitors and facilitate new business deals.
The B2C exhibition will offer consumers access to domestic and international tour packages, airline tickets, hotel reservations, visa services, destination information and promotional offers from participating exhibitors.
BOTOA Senior Vice President and BTM Chief Coordinator Mohsin Iqbal said the event will bring tourism boards, airlines, hotels, destination management companies, tour operators and travel agencies together under one roof to strengthen industry collaboration.
According to the organisers, the travel mart is expected to showcase Bangladesh’s tourism potential to global buyers and investors, stimulate inbound tourism, strengthen regional cooperation and attract investment across tourism, hospitality, aviation and related industries.
A dedicated media centre will provide press facilities, interview coordination, media kits and communications support for local and international journalists.
